FRENCH POLYNESIA 1977 issue SHIPSTYPES

[aukepalmhof]

French Polynesia issued in 1977 four stamps which show us four different rigged vessels.

The 20F shows us a cutter-rigged ship of which Aak to Zumbra a Dictionary of World’s Watercraft gives on this type of ship:
The cutter of the 18th and early 19th centuries was rigged with a gaff mainsail, loose-footed or, boomed, a topsail that was jib-headed or set with a yard, and 2 or more headsails. Mast generally stepped roughly a third in from the bow and inclined aft; the topmast usually fidded, jib set flying to a long-running bowsprit. Originally carried one or more large square sails, staysail, and a jib to a horizontal or bowsed-down reeving bowsprit; the term now includes a vessel with leg-of-mutton mainsail, staysail, and jib to a bowsprit.
Some naval cutters were rigged as ketches but retained the designation cutter. Hull is generally deeper; narrower and with less freeboard than a sloop. Early vessels clinker built. Being fast, often used in combat smuggling and as advice boats heavily armed.
Reported lengths 12 – 18m on the gun deck; beamy.

The 50F shows us the schooner-rigged TIARE TAPORO built in 1913, more info is given on:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7426

The 85F stamp shows us a three-masted gaff-rigged schooner.
A gaff topsail schooner is a schooner with two or more masts, the masts of which are extended with topmasts for carrying gaff topsails. The normal gaff and staysails are then set between the masts. Although basically two different rigs, the gaff topsail schooner, and the gaff schooner are usually referred to by the latter designation, even if all masts have a topmast; two mast gaff schooner, three-mast gaff schooner, up to seven mast gaff schooner.
Source: Internet.

The 120f shows a three-masted barque, when you enlarge the stamp the spanker is clearly visible on the third mast:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8951

French Polynesia 1977 20f/120f sg262/265, Scott?